Microgravity Metal Additive Manufacturing
Laser-based metal 3D printing that works in microgravity lets functional metal hardware such as thrusters be fabricated in orbit rather than launched from Earth.
Developed mainly in: European Union and United KingdomImpacting: North America and Europe
A laser-based metal 3D printer developed by Airbus with ESA and Cranfield University researchers was flown to the International Space Station in early 2024 and produced the first metal part ever printed in microgravity. Cranfield contributed the melting process, laser source, delivery optics and wire feedstock handling. Samples are to be returned for comparison with Earth-printed references.
This is one of 24 signals scored in our latest scan.
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First flagged
6 October 2026 · score 6.0/10
Corroborating sources since flagging
4
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Tracked from 2 signals, each traced to its source.
- Metal component additively manufactured in orbit for the first time aboard ISS
Tctmagazine · 6 Oct 2026
- First rocket thrusters manufactured in orbit returned from space station for testing
Esa · 6 Oct 2026
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